Sally Gates Hull

FRANKLIN - Sally Lou Gates Hull, age 84, passed away Sunday, November 29, 2015 with her family at her side at her home in the Carriage House in Franklin.
She was born in Franklin on March 3, 1931 to the late Rodney & Mae (Fullington) Gates.

Born and raised on a farm in Franklin. Sally attended and graduated Franklin High School and attended the University of Vermont before marrying Carroll Hull and raising her family. Sally enjoyed the beauty of all things. She was raised around the arts as her mother and father were both musical. She would often reminisce about local folks gathering around in the living room playing music. She explored art in college and often wore jewelry that she created during those years. Sally was known to travel all over northern Vermont to attend a concert or theatrical event. As a mother she shared this love by bringing her children to all the classical musicals she could find and anything the singing Rainvilles were a part of. Being raised on the farm Sally enjoyed nature and all its creatures. Many winters as a family involved sliding through the woods, getting our Christmas tree on the Dunton Farm on Rice Hill; summers at Lake Carmi, birthday gatherings in the fall in Smugglers Notch. As a young woman she was an avid downhill skier and as she grew older always had a pair of cross country skies and snowshoes out for winter fun or bike on her car so she could enjoy the Stowe biking trail. Never loving the water for swimming it was a source of pride when she bought her own canoe which she took many friends out on.

She devoted much of her life to raising her children. She loved their friends and would always welcome extra kids into the house. The more the merrier. "Grammy" loved her grandchildren immensely and they adored her. She loved babysitting and cuddling, and when she was with them they would make her smile the biggest smile. She would faithfully and proudly attend graduations, plays, concerts and sport functions and her grandchildren were pleased to see her there. Some of her happiest moments were sitting back and watching her family all together.

Sally survived cancer twice in her life. After her second cancer in 1984 she elected to cure herself naturally with homeopathic means. She sought out some like minded individuals and they started Health Seekers of Vermont. This group brought in local and national speakers of homeopathy, hosted book reviews, visited those in need of guidance and paved the way for healing for countless persons. As her children, we are constantly amazed, as again and again people will stop us and tell us how much Mom meant to them or even saved their lives. To urge people to take their health in their hands and prevent disease before it starts became her mission. It is unknown who all her friends are and where as she made new ones every day in her travels.

The family wants to thank her wonderful caregivers in particular Jeanne Rainville and Joanne Young. There were many others who made her stay in Franklin possible along with Marie Hathaway who has been through many transitions for both our parents. You always treated Mom with a dignity and respect that she so deserved. We are forever grateful.

She is survived by her children, Melanie Hull of Richford, Kris Fullington and his wife Skye of Florida, Suzanne Hull-Parent and friend Christopher Casavant of Enosburg Falls, son Peter Hull and his wife Kim Graham of Colchester and Amanda St. Pierre and her husband Mark of Berkshire; grandchildren; Tonya and her husband Matt Butner, Scott and his wife Michelle Fullington, Beth and James Price, Michael Boomhower, Allison Parent, Padraic Parent, Adrea and her husband Adil Elomri, Joshua, Jenne and Mikayla Hull, Jordan & Connor Lamay, Tyler Graham and Meghan, Jamie & Bradley St. Pierre; three great-grandchildren; Alex, Zach and Devin Scott and a niece Donna Owelett. Besides her parents, Sally was predeceased by her husband Carroll, an infant brother Rodney Dow, Jr., a grandson, Nicholas Parent and a son-in-law, Mark Parent; a daughter-in-law, Bonnie Fullington and her brother-in-law and his wife, Merriman and Dorothy Hull, nephew Dennis Hull along with a dear friend Tim Hopkins.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 10:00 AM in the Franklin United Church, Main St., Franklin with Pastor Jason McConnell. Interment will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery and a light luncheon in the Franklin Church Basement.

There will be no visitation.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to the Carriage House (142 Homestead Drive, Franklin, VT 05457) to be used for activities for the residents.